Different community development scenarios that are possible at the same location under similar environmental conditions.
climax stage
The final stage of succession, viewed as a stable end point that experiences little change.
disturbance
An abiotic event that kills or damages some organisms and thereby creates opportunities for other organisms to grow and reproduce.
hysteresis
An inability to shift back to the original community type, even when the original conditions are restored.
pioneer stage
The first stage of primary succession.
primary succession
Succession that involves the colonization of habitats devoid of life. Compare secondary succession.
secondary succession
Succession that involves the reestablishment of a community in which most, but not all, of the organisms have been destroyed. Compare primary succession.
stable
Returning to the original state after some perturbation.
stress
An abiotic factor that results in a decrease in the rate of an important physiological process, thereby lowering the potential for an organism’s survival, growth, or reproduction.
succession
The change in species composition over time as a result of abiotic and biotic agents of change.
